Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Joint Therapy Guide
Autologous adipose-derived stem cell joint therapy is an anti-aging treatment in which mesenchymal stem cells are extracted from the patient's own fat and injected, under ultrasound guidance, into knee or hip joints damaged by degenerative changes. It is intended to help support cartilage regeneration and pain relief, and results vary by individual.
As we age, degenerative changes in the joints are something everyone experiences, and degenerative changes in the hip or knee joints following cancer treatment or trauma can become a particular concern. Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) offers autologous adipose-derived stem cell joint therapy as one of its anti-aging treatments. For more information about the clinic, please see the About the Doctor page.
How Does Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Joint Therapy Work?
A patient's own fat tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells, which help regenerate damaged cartilage, making up roughly 5–10% of the total cell count. These stem cells are extracted from the fat and injected into the knee or hip joint, with the goal of supporting cartilage regeneration and pain relief. Harvesting about 100cc of fat typically yields approximately 1 to 5 million adipose-derived stem cells, usually enough for about 3 to 4 ampoules. The actual amount harvested and the number of cells obtained may vary from person to person.
Is This Surgery or an Injection Procedure?
This is an injection procedure that does not require an incision. The joint area is checked under ultrasound and the injection is administered directly, and compared with umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy or autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy, it is described as offering the advantages of not requiring an incision, being a simpler procedure, and allowing direct injection under real-time ultrasound guidance. The choice of treatment method may vary depending on the patient's condition.
Who Might Be a Candidate?
This treatment is described as a potential option for those who have difficulty climbing stairs or walking due to knee or hip joint pain resulting from degenerative changes, trauma, or cancer treatment. It is mentioned as an option for delaying joint replacement surgery, particularly for younger patients, since artificial joints have a limited lifespan and surgery performed at too young an age may require revision surgery later on. Suitability must be determined through a medical evaluation.
How Is It Different from Joint Replacement Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery replaces an already damaged joint with an artificial one, but because artificial joints have a limited lifespan, surgery performed at a young age may require revision surgery later. Stem cell therapy, on the other hand, is a non-surgical approach that injects autologous fat-derived stem cells, without any incision, to help support the regeneration of damaged cartilage. Because the choice between the two approaches and the level of results you can expect may vary depending on individual circumstances, it is important to consult thoroughly with the medical staff.
How Do Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Compare to Bone Marrow and Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells?
Adipose-derived stem cell therapy is presented as having the characteristics of requiring no incision, being a simple procedure, yielding a relatively large number of useful cells, and allowing direct injection under real-time ultrasound guidance. It is noted that younger patients tend to have higher concentrations of autologous mesenchymal stem cells and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). That said, the treatment approach and expected results vary by individual, so if you have any questions, please feel free to inquire through Book a Consultation.
Consultation Information
Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) · 2F Apgujeong Building, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 02-3416-0070 (after hours 070-4027-0070) · Book a Consultation
This article is for informational purposes only, and treatment results may vary by individual. All medical procedures require a physician's diagnosis and prescription, and side effects may occur, so please consult thoroughly with a specialist.